Massachusetts Businesses Prepare for Visitation Boost from 2026 FIFA World Cup

Massachusetts is preparing for a significant economic impact from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Seven games scheduled at Gillette Stadium next summer are projected to generate more than $800 million in the state and $1 billion across the New England region.

During a Women's Business Summit hosted by Bank of America in Foxborough on Wednesday, Sept. 24, business leaders discussed the economic impact of the World Cup.

Local organizations, such as Cisco Brewers and Spoonfuls, are excited about the opportunities that FIFA World Cup action will bring to the state.

"My hope and my expectation is that something like sport really brings communities together. It can bring people together; it can bring economies together," said Ashley Stanley, founder and CEO of Spoonfuls, in a statement shared with NBC10 Boston. The Boston-based food recovery organization partners with Gillette Stadium to collect food from the stadium and distribute meals to communities in need.

Martha J. Sheridan, president and CEO of Meet Boston and executive committee board member of Boston Soccer 26, described the opportunities for small businesses, including women-owned businesses, to get involved in FIFA World Cup celebrations.

"While they may not be eligible for some of the larger contracts out there, there are a lot of smaller pieces that are going to need to be activated," she said. "They can go to the Boston 26 website. They can register their business so they can take advantage of any potential RFPs and really just keep your ear to the ground and look for ancillary events that might be happening that you can potentially get involved with."